US embassy cable - 02RANGOON1558

UNCLAS RANGOON 001558 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV 
CINCPAC FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, BM 
SUBJECT: DING DONG NE WIN IS DEAD.....FINALLY! 
 
REF: RANGOON 1555 
 
1.  (U)  The regime confirmed ex-dictator Ne Win's death with 
a brief obituary from the family buried on the second to the 
last page of today's State-controlled newspapers.  Tucked 
between the weather forecast and television schedule, the 
obituary was a brief statement that Ne Win died at 7:30 in 
the morning on December 5th and, based on his wishes, was 
cremated at a private cemetery in Rangoon at 1:30 that 
afternoon. 
 
2.  (U)  There is no indication that the SPDC is planning any 
state ceremonies or official recognition of Ne Win's death, 
despite the fact that he ruled the country for almost three 
decades.  The MOFA Americas' Division Director told Poloff he 
was not aware of any government plans to honor Ne Win, saying 
he only knew what he had read in the obituary.  With the 
general public's attitude toward the death ranging from 
relief to satisfaction, the regime may be assessing the 
appropriate official response.  The Buddhist custom is for 
friends, neighbors and the public to visit the home of the 
deceased on the seventh day after the death to offer 
condolences to the family and donations to the monks who have 
prayed to help his soul into another life.  This gives the 
regime some time to decide what, if anything, it will do to 
recognize Ne Win's demise. 
 
3.  (U)  Word of Ne Win's death did not spread as quickly as 
expected through the streets.  By late evening on December 5, 
a sampling of the general public indicated that few had heard 
that he was dead.  When they heard the news, the most common 
response was "finally." 
Martinez